Recombinant protein expression using a hybrid chef1 promoter

ABSTRACT

The invention provides expression vectors and host cells for high-level expression of recombinant proteins. The expression vectors comprise Chinese hamster ovary elongation factor 1-α (CHEF1) transcriptional regulatory DNA elements and a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and/or a human adenovirus tripartite leader (AdTPL) sequence. The invention achieves increased protein expression and better productivity of host cells compared to previously described expression systems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/062,982, filed Mar. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/204,879, filed Mar. 11, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/777,603, filed Mar. 12, 2013. The disclosure of each priority application is incorporated herein by reference.

This application contains, as a separate part of the disclosure, a sequence listing in computer-readable form (Filename: 44744C_SeqListing.txt; Size: 37,617 bytes; Created: Mar. 29, 2018) which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to expression vectors comprising a novel promoter-enhancer combination that increases heterologous protein expression and has practical application in the field of recombinant protein production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Increasing recombinant protein expression through improvements in transcription, translation, protein folding and/or secretion is a fundamental priority for optimizing yield during cell line development. The Chinese hamster ovary elongation factor 1-α (CHEF1) expression system has been used extensively to create clinical cell lines for producing recombinant proteins. The elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) gene is highly expressed in most tissue types, and EF-1 is one of the most abundant proteins in human cells (Beck et al., Molecular Systems Biology 7: 549; 2011). CHEF1 expression vectors achieve high-level recombinant protein expression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, as well as in non-hamster cells.

CHEF1 expression is coordinated with growth such that titer increases are driven by increased volumetric productivity. Typically, protein expression initiates early in the exponential phase of growth and drops off during stationary phase and decline. The linkage between protein expression and cell growth is consistent with the regulation of the native EF-1α gene, which is constitutively expressed to function in ribosomal protein complexes. Expression of EF-1α has been documented to increase in transformed (Sanders et al., Nucleic Acids Research 20: 5907; 1992) and mitogen-stimulated cells (Thomas and Thomas, Journal of Cell Biology 103: 2137; 1986), consistent with constitutive expression of EF-1α in actively growing cells. In addition to transcriptional control in growing cells, the growth factor insulin regulates the translation of EF-1α through the mRNA 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) (Hammond and Bowman, Journal of Biological Chemistry 25: 17785; 1988; Proud and Denton, Biochemical Journal 328: 329; 1997). This translational control is achieved through the Tract of Polypyrimidine (TOP) sequence found in the 5′UTR (Mariottini and Amaldi, Molecular and Cellular Biology 10: 816; 1990).

CHEF1 expression systems have been shown to be capable of achieving higher levels of protein expression than vectors employing other commonly used promoters, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV), human EF-1a, and Simian virus 40 (SV40) promoters (Running Deer and Allison, Biotechnology Progress 20: 880; 2004). The CMV promoter is one of the most widely used promoters for recombinant protein expression. For example, the glutamine synthetase (GS) system uses a murine or human CMV promoter (Kalwy, S., “Towards stronger gene expression—a promoter's tale,” 19^(th) European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT) meeting, 2005). The commercial expression plasmid pcDNA™3 (Life Technologies Corp., Carlsbad, Calif.) carries a CMV promoter derived from the major immediate-early (IE) gene (GenBank Accession # K03104.1) described previously (Boshart et al., Cell 1985; 4:521). Another commonly used CMV promoter is derived from the human CMV strain AD169 (GenBank Accession # X17403.1), also known as human herpesvirus 5.

Vectors containing CHEF1 regulatory DNA result in improved expression of recombinant proteins that is up to 280-fold greater than from CMV-controlled plasmids (Running Deer and Allison, 2004). Increased expression of a variety of proteins of interest, including secreted and membrane-bound proteins, has been achieved in different eukaryotic cell lines, including non-hamster cells, using CHEF1-driven vectors. Transfection efficiencies between CHEF1 and CMV vectors are comparable, but expression levels in clones transfected with CHEF1 vectors are generally uniformly higher.

Despite the demonstrated success of CHEF1 vectors in driving high-level expression of recombinant proteins, there exists an ongoing need to develop improved expression systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure provides an expression vector for high-level expression of recombinant proteins. In various aspects, the expression vector comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA elements and a CMV promoter and/or a human adenovirus tripartite leader (AdTPL) sequence.

In various aspects, an expression vector according to the disclosure comprises 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises SEQ ID NO: 1. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1. In various aspects, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 10,744 and 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises SEQ ID NO: 2. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4057 in SEQ ID NO: 2.

In various aspects, an expression vector according to the disclosure further comprises 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA. In various embodiments, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises SEQ ID NO: 3. In various embodiments, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in SEQ ID NO: 3. In various aspects, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 209 in SEQ ID NO: 3. In various embodiments, 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises about 4.2 kilobases.

In various embodiments, an expression vector according to the disclosure comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter. In various embodiments, the expression vector comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, the expression vector comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, a CMV promoter, and an AdTPL sequence.

In various aspects, in an expression vector according to the disclosure, a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence is inserted into 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA. In various embodiments, in an expression vector comprising DNA set out in SEQ ID NO: 1, one or more bases between position 1 and position 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, one or more bases between position 10,512 and position 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter and/or AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, an expression vector according to the disclosure comprises one or more of the polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7.

In various embodiments, an expression vector according to the disclosure further comprises a selectable marker gene. In various embodiments, an expression vector according to the disclosure further comprises a polynucleotide encoding a protein of interest that is operably linked to the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the CMV promoter, and/or the AdTPL sequence.

The disclosure also provides host cells transformed, transduced, or transfected with an expression vector comprising CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, the host cell is a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. In various aspects, the host cell is a hamster cell, and in various embodiments, the host cell is a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell. In various aspects, the host cell is a non-hamster mammalian cell. In various embodiments, the host cell is a human cell. The expression vector of the disclosure comprising CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA in combination with a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence achieves a synergistic increase in the protein expression capacity of the host cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a map of the expression vector pDEF85 comprising 5′ and 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter. The CMV promoter replaces 1217 nucleotides (from position 2866 to position 4083) of the 5′ CHEF1 DNA in vector pDEF38 to create pDEF85. GP1 and MAb1 reporter genes were cloned into the XhoI-XbaI cloning sites to make the expression vectors pDEF85-GP1 and pDEF85-MAb1.

FIG. 2 shows a map of the expression vector pDEF86 comprising 5′ and 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, a CMV promoter, and an AdTPL sequence. The CMV promoter and AdTPL sequence replace 1217 nucleotides (from position 2866 to position 4083) of the 5′ CHEF1 DNA in vector pDEF38 to create pDEF86. GP1 and MAb1 reporter genes were cloned into the XhoI-XbaI cloning sites to make the expression vectors pDEF86-GP1 and pDEF86-MAb1.

FIG. 3 shows viability of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-GP1, pDEF85-GP1, or pDEF86-GP1. The cells recovered for 2-3 days in non-select CD-CIM1 plus HT media and were resuspended in selection media lacking HT (Passage 0). Cells were passaged every 2 to 3 days as cell number permitted. Passage number is provided on the x-axis, and percent cell viability is shown on the y-axis.

FIG. 4 shows the viability and productivity of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-GP1, pDEF85-GP1, or pDEF86-GP1. Replicate transfection pools were run in 12-day fed-batch production models and fed Feed C on Days 3, 5, and 7 and CB on Days 0, 3, 5, and 7 in CD-CIM1 base media. Productions were run at 37° C. and shifted to 34° C. on Day 3. Viable cell density, percent viability, and productivity were measured on Days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12. FIG. 4A shows viable cell density, with days shown on the x-axis and viable cell density, measured in 10e5 cells per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis. FIG. 4B shows percent viability, with days shown on the x-axis and percent cell viability depicted on the y-axis. FIG. 4C shows productivity, with days shown on the x-axis and protein titer, in micrograms per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis.

FIG. 5 shows the specific productivity of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-GP1, pDEF85-GP1, or pDEF86-GP1. The integrated cell area (ICA), measured in million cells per milliliter multiplied by the day, is shown on the x-axis and the protein titer, measured in micrograms per milliliter, is depicted on the y-axis. The specific productivity values were calculated as picograms of protein per cell per day averaged over the entire cell culture duration.

FIG. 6 shows the productivity of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-GP1, pDEF85-GP1, or pDEF86-GP1 grown in BF1-supplemented media. Replicate transfection pools were run in 12-day fed-batch production models and fed BF1 in CD-CIM1 base media plus CB on Days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Productions were run at 37° C. and shifted to 34° C. on Day 3. Titer samples were measured on Days 5, 7, 10 and 12. The days are shown on the x-axis and the protein titer, measured in micrograms per milliliter, is depicted on the y-axis.

FIG. 7 shows the growth and productivity of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-MAb1, pDEF85-MAb1, or pDEF86-MAb1 grown in BF1-supplemented media. Replicate transfection pools were run in 12-day fed-batch production models and fed BF1 in CD-CIM1 base media plus CB on Days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Productions were run at 37° C. and shifted to 32.5° C. on Day 5. Antibody titer samples were measured on Days 7, 10, 12 and 14.

FIG. 7A shows growth, with days shown on the x-axis and viable cell density, measured in 10e5 cells per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis. FIG. 7B shows productivity, with days shown on the x-axis and protein titer, measured in micrograms per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis.

FIG. 8 shows the growth and productivity of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-MAb1 or pDEF85-MAb1. Twelve randomly selected clones expressing MAb1 after transfection with pDEF38 or pDEF85 were run in 12-day fed-batch production models and fed BF1 in CD-CIM1 base media plus CB on Days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Productions were run at 37° C. and shifted to 32.5° C. on Day 5. Viable cell density and antibody titer were measured on Days 4, 6, 11 and 13. FIG. 8A shows the growth of each clone, with days shown on the x-axis and viable cell density, measured in 10e5 cells per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis. FIG. 8B shows the productivity of each clone, with days shown on the x-axis and the antibody titer, measured in micrograms per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis.

FIG. 9 shows the productivity of CHO host cells transfected with the vector pDEF38-GP1 or pDEF85-GP1. Eight clones expressing GP1 after transfection with pDEF38-GP1 or pDEF85-GP1 were selected using flow cytometry and run in 12-day fed-batch production model. The clones were fed BF1 in CD-CIM1 base media plus CB on Days 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Productions were run at 37° C. and shifted to 32.5° C. on Day 3. Titers were measured on Days 5, 7, 10, 12 and 14. FIG. 9A shows the productivity of clones transfected with the CHEF1 vector pDEF38-GP1, with days shown on the x-axis and the protein titer, measured in micrograms per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis. FIG. 9B shows the productivity of clones transfected with the CHEF1-CMV vector pDEF85-GP1, with days shown on the x-axis and the protein titer, measured in micrograms per milliliter, depicted on the y-axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides an expression vector comprising a combination of regulatory DNA elements for achieving high-level protein expression and improved productivity compared to vectors known in the field The disclosure also provides a host cell transformed with an expression vector described herein. The expression vector of the disclosure comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA combined with a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence. The use of CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA elements in an expression vector to achieve high-level expression of recombinant proteins has been previously described (U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,809; Running Deer and Allison, 2004). Protein expression from CHEF1-driven vectors has been shown to be significantly higher than from CMV promoter-controlled vectors for a number of different protein and host cell types, and the increase can be greater than 250-fold (Running Deer and Allison, 2004). The AdTPL sequence is a 200-nucleotide 5′ noncoding sequence found on late viral mRNAs that enhances their translation (Logan, PNAS 81: 3655; 1984).

Considering the improved protein expression obtained using CHEF1-controlled vectors, the addition of non-CHEF1 control regions, such as a CMV promoter or an AdTPL sequence, to a CHEF1 expression vector would be counterintuitive. The presence of such non-CHEF1 control regions could disrupt the cooperative action of individual CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory elements and would not be expected to act in concert with the CHEF1 regulatory DNA to yield improved protein expression. However, the expression vector of the present disclosure, which comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence, surprisingly yields increased protein expression compared to vectors comprising only CHEF1 control regions.

As used herein, the following definitions may be useful in aiding the skilled practitioner in understanding the disclosure:

The term “expression vector” refers to any molecule used to transfer coding information to a host cell. In various aspects, the expression vector is a nucleic acid, a plasmid, a cosmid, a virus, or an artificial chromosome.

The term “host cell” refers to a cell that has been transformed, transfected, or transduced by an expression vector bearing a gene of interest, which is then expressed by the cell. A host cell is, in various aspects, a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. In various aspects, the host cell is a bacteria cell, a protist cell, a fungal cell, a plant cell, or an animal cell. The term also refers to progeny of the parent host cell, regardless of whether the progeny is identical in genotype or phenotype to the parent, as long as the gene of interest is present.

The term “CMV promoter” refers to CMV promoter sequences known in the art. In various aspects, the CMV promoter is of any origin, including murine (mCMV) or human (hCMV). In various aspects, a hCMV is derived from any CMV strain. In various aspects, the CMV strain is AD169, Davis, Toledo, or Towne. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the CMV promoter contains the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4.

The term “AdTPL sequence” refers to the approximately 200 nucleotide, 5′ noncoding sequence present in human adenovirus late viral mRNAs that is known in the art. In various embodiments, the AdTPL sequence contains the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5.

The term “CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA” refers to noncoding sequences containing cis-acting regulatory elements capable of controlling transcription of the CHEF1 gene, such as the promoter region and elements such as enhancers, insulators, and scaffold/matrix attachment regions.

The term “5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA” refers to DNA, when in nature, located 5′, i.e., upstream, of the start codon in the CHEF1 gene in the Chinese hamster genome.

The term “3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA” refers to DNA, when in nature, located 3′, i.e., downstream, of the stop codon in the CHEF1 gene in the Chinese hamster genome.

The terms “approximately” and “about” refer to quantities that are within close range of a reference amount. With respect to polynucleotides, a sequence that is approximately/about a specified length is within 5% of the recited length.

In various aspects, an expression vector according to the disclosure comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, the CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and/or 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA.

In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set out in SEQ ID NO: 1. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 11,716 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i.e., a portion of SEQ ID NO: 1. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1. In various aspects, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 10,744 and position 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to DNA located between position 10,744 and position 11,716 in SEQ ID NO: 1. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set out in SEQ ID NO; 2. In various embodiments, the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4057 of SEQ ID NO: 2, i.e., a portion of SEQ ID NO: 2. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 4057 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In various aspects, the expression vector according to the disclosure further comprises 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA. In various embodiments, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. The disclosure also provides 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set out in SEQ ID NO: 3. In various embodiments, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in SEQ ID NO: 3, i.e., a portion of SEQ ID NO: 3. The disclosure also provides 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in SEQ ID NO: 3, i.e., a portion of SEQ ID NO: 3. In various aspects, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 209 in SEQ ID NO: 3. The disclosure also provides 3′ CHEF transcriptional regulatory DNA that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 209 in SEQ ID NO: 3. In various embodiments, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA may comprise about 4.2 kilobases.

In various embodiments, the expression vector according to the disclosure comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA elements and a CMV promoter. In various aspects, the CMV promoter comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. The disclosure also provides a CMV promoter that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. In various aspects, the expression vector comprising 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6. In various embodiments, the expression vector comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, the AdTPL sequence comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. The disclosure also provides an AdTPL sequence that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In various embodiments, the expression vector comprises CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, a CMV promoter and an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, the expression vector comprising 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, a CMV promoter, and an AdTPL sequence comprises the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7. The disclosure also provides 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, a CMV promoter, and an AdTPL sequence that is at least 99%, at least 98%, at least 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 94%, at least 93%, at least 92%, at least 91%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75% or at least 70% identical to the polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7.

In various embodiments, a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence is inserted into the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA in an expression plasmid according to the disclosure. In various embodiments, in an expression vector comprising DNA set out in SEQ ID NO: 1, one or more bases between position 1 and position 11,716 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter and/or AdTPL sequence. In various embodiments, the proximal 5′ CHEF1 promoter region is replaced with a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence. For example and without limitation, in various aspects, one or more bases between position 10,512 and position 11,716 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter, an AdTPL sequence, or a CMV promoter and an AdTPL sequence.

The expression vector according to the disclosure further comprises a polynucleotide encoding a protein of interest. In various aspects, the polynucleotide is operably linked to the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the CMV promoter, and/or the AdTPL sequence. The expression vector is useful for any protein and is expected to provide higher protein expression than CHEF1 or CMV alone. In various aspects, the expression vector further comprises a selectable marker gene for identification of transformed cells. Examples of suitable selectable marker genes include, but are not limited to, neomycin phosphotransferase (npt II), hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt), dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr), zeocin, phleomycin, bleomycin resistance gene (ble), gentamycin acetyltransferase, streptomycin phosphotransferase, mutant form of acetolactate synthase (als), bromoxynil nitrilase, phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar), enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase (aro A), muscle specific tyrosine kinase receptor molecule (MuSK-R), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (sod1), metallothioneins (cup1, MT1), beta-lactamase (BLA), puromycin N-acetyl-transferase (pac), blasticidin acetyl transferase (bls), blasticidin deaminase (bsr), histidinol dehydrogenase (HDH), N-succinyl-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide (SAICAR) synthetase (ade1), argininosuccinate lyase (arg4), beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (leu2), invertase (suc2), orotidine-5′-phosphate (OMP) decarboxylase (ura3), and orthologs of any of the foregoing.

The disclosure also provides host cells transformed, transduced, or transfected with an expression vector comprising CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence. In various aspects, the host cell is a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. In various aspects, the host cell is a hamster cell. In various aspects, the hamster cell is a CHO cell. In various embodiments, the host cell is a non-hamster mammalian cell, and in various aspects, the cell is a human cell.

Embodiments contemplated in view of the foregoing description include, but are not limited to, the following numbered embodiments:

1. An expression vector comprising Chinese Hamster Elongation Factor-1a (CHEF1) transcriptional regulatory DNA and a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and/or an adenovirus tripartite leader (AdTPL) sequence.

2. The expression vector of embodiment 1, wherein the CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises 5′ CHEF transcriptional regulatory DNA.

3. The expression vector of embodiment 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises Sequence ID NO: 1 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 1.

4. The expression vector of embodiment 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 11,716 in Sequence ID NO: 1 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 11,716 in Sequence ID NO: 1.

5. The expression vector of embodiment 4, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 10,774 and position 11,716 in Sequence ID NO: 1 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to DNA located between position 10,774 and position 11,716 in Sequence ID NO: 1.

6. The expression vector of embodiment 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises Sequence ID NO: 2 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 2.

7. The expression vector of embodiment 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4057 in Sequence ID NO: 2 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 4057 in Sequence ID NO: 2.

8. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA.

9. The expression vector of embodiment 8, wherein the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises Sequence ID NO: 3 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 3.

10. The expression vector of embodiment 8, wherein the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in Sequence ID NO: 3 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in Sequence ID NO: 2.

11. The expression vector of embodiment 10, wherein the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 to position 209 in Sequence ID NO: 3 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to DNA located between position 1 to position 209 in Sequence ID NO: 3.

12. The expression vector of any one of embodiments 8-11, wherein the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises about 4.2 kilobases.

13. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising a CMV promoter.

14. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising an AdTPL sequence.

15. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising a CMV promoter and an AdTPL sequence.

16. The expression vector of embodiment 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA set out in Sequence ID NO: 1, wherein one or more bases between position 1 and position 11,716 of Sequence ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence.

17. The expression vector of embodiment 16, wherein one or more bases between position 10,512 and position 11,716 of Sequence ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence.

18. The expression vector of embodiment 17, wherein one or more bases between position 10,512 and position 11,716 of Sequence ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter.

19. The expression vector of embodiment 17, wherein one or more bases between position 10,512 and position 11,716 of Sequence ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with an AdTPL sequence.

20. The expression vector of embodiment 17, wherein one or more bases between position 10,512 and position 11,716 of Sequence ID NO: 1 is/are deleted and replaced with a CMV promoter and an AdTPL sequence.

21. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising Sequence ID NO: 4 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 4.

22. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising Sequence ID NO: 5 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 5.

23. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising Sequence ID NO: 6 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 6.

24. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments comprising Sequence ID NO: 7 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 7.

25. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a selectable marker gene.

26. The expression vector of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a polynucleotide encoding a protein of interest operably linked to the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the CMV promoter and/or the AdTPL sequence.

27. A host cell transformed, transduced or transfected with an expression vector according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

28. The host cell of embodiment 27, wherein the host cell is a prokaryotic cell.

29. The host cell of embodiment 27, wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell.

30. The host cell of embodiment 29, wherein the host cell is a hamster cell.

31. The host cell of embodiment 30, wherein the host cell is a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell.

32. The host cell of embodiment 29, wherein the host cell is a non-hamster mammalian cell.

33. The host cell of embodiment 32, wherein the host cell is a human cell.

An expression plasmid according to the disclosure is further described in the following Example. The Example serves only to illustrate the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLE

Gene Sequence and Expression Vectors—

DNA fragments encoding the CMV promoter (SEQ ID NO: 4) and CMV-AdTPL promoter (SEQ ID NO: 5) were chemically synthesized and cloned into pDEF38, a CHEF1 expression vector previously described (Running Deer and Allison, 2004), creating the CHEF1-CMV-promoter vector designated pDEF85 (FIG. 1) and the CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL promoter vector designated pDEF86 (FIG. 2). Derivative vectors expressing a Fc-glycoprotein fusion (GP1) and an IgG1 antibody (MAb1) were created using standard molecular biology techniques (Maniatis et al., J. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. 545, 1982) and designated pDEF38-GP1, pDEF85-GP1, pDEF86-GP1, pDEF38-MAb1, pDEF85-MAb1 and pDEF86-MAb1.

Cell Line Construction—

The pDEF38-GP1, pDEF85-GP1, pDEF86-GP1, pDEF38-MAb1, pDEF85-MAb1 and pDEF86-MAb1 expression vectors were transfected individually into CHO DG44 cells by standard electroporation methods, grown for two days in non-select media containing hypoxanthine and thymidine (HT), and then selected for about two weeks in media lacking HT. The selected cell populations, or transfection pools, were expanded and split into production model cultures to assess productivity and also simultaneously split into cultures for single cell cloning.

Production Models—

Small-scale fed-batch production models were run to assess culture productivity (titer) following standard biologics manufacturing processes. Cultures were inoculated at seed densities of 0.5 million cells per milliliter in shake flasks of chemically defined media (CD-CIM1, CMC Biologics, Bothell, Wash.) lacking HT. The cultures were run for 3 to 5 days at 37° C. and then shifted to lower temperatures (30° C. to 34° C.) to slow growth and promote production. Cultures were fed the supplements Balanced Feed 1 (BF1, CMC Biologics), Efficient Feed C (Feed C, Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.) or Cell Boost (CB, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass.) to prolong culture health. Samples for titer and cell densities were collected on Days 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 and 16. The study was concluded by Day 12 to 16. Harvest supernatants were filtered through 0.2 micrometer filters and then assayed for GP1 or MAb1 production by Protein A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Cell Line Cloning—

Selected GP1- and MAb1-expressing transfection pools were diluted to seed single cells into individual wells of 96-well plates. The plates were imaged from inoculation out to two weeks to identify monoclonal cell lines originating from single cells. Wells containing monoclonal colonies were expanded and either randomly chosen or selected using flow cytometry to identify highly-expressing cells from each transfection pool. Cell lines were expanded to grow in suspension culture and split into production model cultures to assess productivity.

Flow Cytometry—

Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis was performed with Day 2 normal growing cells that were harvested and stained with fluorescent anti-IgG1 Fc antibody (RPE) to detect recombinant GP1 and MAb1 expression.

Results and Discussion

Stable cell lines expressing the reporter protein GP1 or MAb1 were made using the expression vectors pDEF38, pDEF85 and pDEF86 using standard DHFR selection methods. Transfection pools were selected in media lacking hypoxanthine and thymidine (HT) without using methotrexate. Cell viabilities dropped in media lacking HT and then recovered as cells with DHFR vectors grew out in the population. The transfection cultures dropped initially to about 10% to about 30% viability and then attained greater than 90% viability by around Day 12 (Passage 6). The growth of cells transfected with a CHEF1-CMV vector (pDEF85-GP1) or CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vector (pDEF86-GP1) compared to cells transfected with a CHEF1 only vector (pDEF38-GP1) showed similar recovery for the GP1 expressing constructs, with consistent high viability growth after the recovery period (FIG. 3). Similar results were obtained for antibody expressing cell lines (data not shown).

Transfection pools were placed directly into production models or advanced into single cell cloning and then clonal cell lines were compared in production models. FIG. 4 shows that fed-batch shake flask production model growth was comparable for the GP1 expressing pools (FIG. 4A); however, the protein expression (titer) at harvest, typically 12 to 16 days from inoculation, was significantly different. The Day 12 harvest titers for the CHEF1-CMV or CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL expression vectors (pDEF85 and pDEF86) were much higher than for the standard CHEF1 vector (pDEF38) (FIG. 4C). The amount of recombinant GP1 protein produced from pooled transfectants in fed-batch shake flasks from the CHEF1-CMV or CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vectors was about twice the standard CHEF1 vector. Growth of the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL pools peaked slightly earlier and showed a more rapid decline in viability (FIG. 4B). The viability drop was not anticipated to improve expression and could instead be detrimental. Later experiments showed that improving ending viability increased titer for the CHEF1-CMV cultures.

The increase in titer seen with the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vectors was the result of increased specific productivity, as seen in FIG. 5. Specific productivity was calculated as picograms of protein per cell per day averaged over the entire culture duration. There was a slight expression difference between the CHEF1-CMV (pDEF85) and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL (pDEF86) constructs, indicating a possible benefit of the addition of the AdTPL sequence with respect to specific productivity. The specific productivities in picograms per cell per day (PCD) are shown in Table 1. The specific productivity achieved using the CHEF1-CMV or CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vectors was more than two-fold greater than the specific productivity of the CHEF1 vector.

TABLE 1 Specific Productivity Vector Promoter PCD pDEF38 CHEF1 2.4 pDEF85 CHEF1-CMV 6.7 pDEF86 CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL 7.4

Improved expression with the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vectors was confirmed using different reporter proteins and varied fed-batch production conditions. Cells grown in CD-CIM1 base media supplemented with CB that were fed proprietary BF1 supplement on Days 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 demonstrated similar GP1 productivity profiles compared to cells supplemented with commercial media (Feed C). FIG. 6 shows the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vector cultures had increased GP1 titers over the control CHEF1 vector in the BF1 process.

Antibody (MAb1) production utilizing the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL vectors was also tested in the BF1 process. The MAb1 transfection pools were created with the same methodology as the GP1 pools and once fully recovered from selection, were put into fed-batch shake flask production models. As shown in FIG. 7, the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL MAb1 pools produced higher titer antibody than the pDEF38 controls after Day 12. The productivity profile in transfection pools expressing antibody was novel compared to glycoprotein production because the antibody productivity increased dramatically as cells entered stationary phase. A lower initial titer (Day 7) for the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL MAb1 pools compared to the CHEF1 MAb1 pool was seen as the cell cultures were actively growing, followed by rapid increases in productivity for the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL cultures as the growth slowed down and finally declined after Day 10 (FIG. 7B). Even as the viable cell density decreased (FIG. 7A), productivity increased out to Day 14 in the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL pools, whereas it started to slow down in the CHEF1 pool, although the terminal Day 14 percent viabilities were similar for all cultures (about 80% viable, data not shown).

Clonal cultures were developed from transfection pools expressing both GP1 and MAb1. Monoclonal cell lines were identified by imaging of limiting dilution plates and then expanded into suspension culture. Twelve MAb1 clonal cultures were selected randomly from each of the pDEF38-MAb1 and pDEF85-MAb1 transfection pools and were run in fed-batch shake flask production models. Clonal CHEF1-promoter (pDEF38-MAb1) antibody production matched the transfection pool profiles, showing higher expression than the pDEF85-MAb1 clones during the growth phase and then slower production as the cultures entered stationary phase (FIG. 8B). Antibody production from the CHEF1-CMV vector (pDEF85-MAb1) clones looked very similar to the transfection pool, wherein the majority of antibody expression occurred after Day 6 after exponential growth slowed down and the cells transitioned to stationary phase (FIG. 8A).

Clonal cell lines expressing GP1 were selected using a FACS based assay to detect GP1 expression early in development. More than 100 clones from each of the pDEF38-GP1 and pDEF85-GP1 transfection pools were screened and ranked by FACS mean fluorescence. The top eight GP1-expressing cultures, based on FACS analysis from each set, were further examined in fed-batch production models using CD-CIM1 base media and BF1 feeds (FIG. 9). The average titers and specific productivities, shown in Table 2 and Table 3, indicated that expression from the CHEF1-CMV promoter (pDEF85-GP1) was much higher than from the CHEF1 promoter alone (pDEF38-GP1) and was driven by an increase in specific productivity.

TABLE 2 Average Glycoprotein Titer pDEF38-GP1 pDEF85-GP1 Day 12 760 (n = 8) 1199 (n = 8) Day 14 735 (n = 8) 1456 (n = 8)

TABLE 3 Specific Productivity pDEF38-GP1 pDEF85-GP1 Average 6.4 (n = 8) 15.0 (n = 8) Range 2.7 to 13.6 10.6 to 20.1

As demonstrated in the foregoing Example, novel CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL expression vectors increased expression of both glycoprotein and antibody in stable CHO cell transfection pools. Stable clonal cell lines derived from the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL pools also showed improved protein expression compared to the CHEF1-promoter pool. Increased expression in the CHEF1-CMV and CHEF1-CMV-AdTPL clonal cell lines resulted from higher specific productivity compared to CHEF1-promoter, indicating that combining CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA with a CMV promoter increased cellular expression capacity and did not just improve growth performance. The expression pattern from the CHEF1-CMV constructs differed from the CHEF1-promoter alone, with maximal expression occurring later, during the stationary phase of cell growth, indicating that regulation by the CHEF1-CMV-promoter was different than from CHEF1 alone and possessed unique recombinant protein production characteristics. The delayed temporal expression of protein from CHEF1-CMV compared to CHEF1 alone is evidence that the combined regulatory elements alter CHEF1 growth-dependent expression, thus presenting a novel mechanism to control CHEF1 protein production. The high level expression achieved from a combination of CHEF1 and CMV is unexpected considering previous findings wherein the CHEF1 promoter outperformed the CMV promoter (Running Deer and Allison, 2004). Achieving increased specific productivity, combined with the observed temporal shift in expression, is beneficial because the culture feeding conditions can be optimized for biphasic growth and production in biologic manufacturing processes. An expression vector according to the disclosure comprising CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA and a CMV promoter and/or an AdTPL sequence, therefore, provides an improved option for achieving high titer and productivity in recombinant protein expression systems.

All of the compositions disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions of this disclosure have been described in terms of specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations of the compositions can be made without departing from the concept and scope of the disclosure. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain polynucleotides which are both chemically and biologically related may be substituted for the polynucleotides described herein with the same or similar results achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The references cited herein throughout, to the extent that they provide exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, are all specifically incorporated herein by reference. 

1. An expression vector comprising Chinese Hamster Elongation Factor-1α (CHEF1) transcriptional regulatory DNA and a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and/or an adenovirus tripartite leader (AdTPL) sequence.
 2. The expression vector of claim 1, wherein the CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises 5′ CHEF transcriptional regulatory DNA.
 3. The expression vector of claim 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises Sequence ID NO: 1 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO:
 1. 4.-5. (canceled)
 6. The expression vector of claim 2, wherein the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises Sequence ID NO: 2 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO:
 2. 7. (canceled)
 8. The expression vector of claim 2, further comprising 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA.
 9. The expression vector of claim 8, wherein the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises Sequence ID NO: 3 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO:
 3. 10. The expression vector of claim 8, wherein the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA comprises DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in Sequence ID NO: 3 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to DNA located between position 1 and position 4180 in Sequence ID NO:
 2. 11.-20. (canceled)
 21. The expression vector of claim 2 comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of Sequence ID NO: 4 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 4; Sequence ID NO: 5 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 5; Sequence ID NO: 6 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO: 6; and Sequence ID NO: 7 or a polynucleotide at least 95% identical to Sequence ID NO:
 7. 22.-24. (canceled)
 25. The expression vector of claim 2, further comprising a selectable marker gene.
 26. The expression vector of claim 2, further comprising a polynucleotide encoding a protein of interest operably linked to the 5′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the 3′ CHEF1 transcriptional regulatory DNA, the CMV promoter and/or the AdTPL sequence.
 27. A host cell transformed, transduced or transfected with an expression vector according to claim
 2. 28. The host cell of claim 27, wherein the host cell is selected from the group consisting of a prokaryotic cell; a eukaryotic cell; a hamster cell; and a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell; a non-hamster mammalian cell; and a human cell. 29.-33. (canceled)
 34. A method of increasing protein expression, comprising transfecting a host cell with an expression vector comprising Chinese Hamster Elongation Factor-1α (CHEF1) transcriptional regulatory DNA and a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and/or an adenovirus tripartite leader (AdTPL) sequence. 